Soho Silverstone makes a great comeback

Veteran pacer Soho Silverstone has made one of the great comebacks to racing, taking out the Tint City Pace (2100m) at Bunbury last night.

Soho Silverstone’s most recent start prior to last night was in December 2015, one day after Lennytheshark took out the Inter Dominion at Gloucester Park.

Fast forward more than three years and the enigmatic pacer showed age is no barrier in racing, with his 10-year-old legs carrying him to his ninth career victory at the Donaldson Park circuit.

Making the win even more meritorious, Soho Silverstone was forced to sit outside the leader Sammy’s Ideal throughout the event.

Sarah Dacey took over the training duties of the gelding in 2015, following stints with Kim Prentice and Gary Hall Snr in Perth.

Fittingly, it was Dacey’s son Corey Peterson who drove Soho Silverstone to victory last night and it was Peterson who talked Dacey into putting the gelding back into work.

Dacey said she knew the horse had plenty of ability, but getting him to put it all together on race day proved to be a challenge.

“His work had been super and he’s always shown ability,” she said.

“He often gets to the races and it’s like he was saying ‘no thank you’.

“He trialled really well this time in and it was good for his head more than anything.

“If he wanted to win his races he could.”

A ligament injury, together with his quirky nature, prevented Soho Silverstone from getting to the track in the past three years.

However, it wasn’t all a pointless exercise for Dacey, who found another use for the son of Art Major.

“I’ve done the Blackwood Marathon with him every year,” she said.

“He does eight weeks work for the Marathon and then he spends 10 months of the year out in the paddock.”

The Blackwood Marathon, held in Bridgetown each year, consists of five legs; a run, cycle, paddle, swim and equestrian leg.

Dacey has joined forces with Soho Silverstone to do the equestrian leg for her team over the past five years and they have won the team event on four of those occasions.

Dacey and Soho Silverstone are part of a star-studded team, which includes two-time Olympic swimmer Travis Nederpelt.

The equestrian leg is 16km long, which Soho Silverstone completes in 30 minutes and Dacey said she was getting him ready to run in the event again next year.

As for this campaign, Dacey said she won’t rush Soho Silverstone back to Gloucester Park, but indicated she would keep an open mind for this campaign.

“I don’t know what he’s capable of,” she said.

“We will see if he’s eligible for some weaker races in the bush.

“If he’s going okay, we may go to town with him.

“He’s such a beautiful horse and he’s pulled up well this morning.

“We will let him guide us…if he shows he doesn’t want to compete, we will retire him.”

Last night’s win also continued a successful period in the sulky for Peterson, who recently enjoyed his first Friday night double at Gloucester Park, as well as a Group 1 placing in the Mares Classic on December 7.

Dacey said she was proud with how her son was progressing through the local driving ranks.

“Corey knows Soho Silverstone so well and he rated him perfectly last night,” she said.

“It’s been good to see him get opportunities in Group 1 races.

“Kristian (Hawkins) has also been so good giving him opportunities.

“He’s got a really good chance to be a good driver because he’s so cool and calm.”